Long Island man says pit bulls killed 4 of his goats

MASTIC BEACH, N.Y. -- A Long Island man tells police that four goats he kept in his backyard were killed by a pair of marauding pit bulls.

William Barbaro says he was awakened at about 4 a.m. today by a noise outside and when he went to investigate, the dogs were attacking his four female goats. Three were already dead and a fourth died hours later.

Two male goats owned by Barbaro were found safe inside a garage.

Barbaro told reporters he had intended to move the goats to property his parents own in Maine.

A town spokesman says goat ownership is permitted, as long as owners obtain a license.

It was not immediately clear who owned the pit bulls. The case is under investigation.